Mitchell County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 17.5 | 10,518 people · 96th most distressed in Iowa
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Mitchell County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 17.5 — 3111th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing remains relatively affordable compared to local incomes. Within Iowa, it ranks 96th of 99 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Mitchell County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 27.4 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 27.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 28
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 36
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 10
Homeownership Rate 19
Economic Vitality 22.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 10
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 86
House Price Change (YoY) 10
Legal Distress 18.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 18
Structural Poverty 15.6
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 14
Income vs. State Median 32
Child Poverty Rate 25
Disability Rate 6
Transfer Income Dependency 6
Consumer Credit Distress 12.5
Debt in Collections 9
Medical Debt 26
Auto Loan Delinquency 6
Credit Card Delinquency 6
Uninsured Rate 43
Subprime Credit Population 6

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Mitchell County
Mitchell County, IA 17.5 Healthy —
Mower County, MN 41.5 Normal +24.0
Cerro Gordo County, IA 30.1 Healthy +12.5
Floyd County, IA 27.7 Healthy +10.2
Worth County, IA 22.7 Healthy +5.1
Chickasaw County, IA 18.7 Healthy +1.1
Howard County, IA 18.3 Healthy +0.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Mitchell County
Holt County, NE 17.7 Healthy +0.2
Bremer County, IA 17.8 Healthy +0.2
Goochland County, VA 17.9 Healthy +0.4
Lincoln County, WY 17.1 Healthy -0.5
Butler County, IA 18.1 Healthy +0.6

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Mitchell County as a CSV file.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Mitchell County, Iowa?

    Mitchell County has a County Distress Index score of 17.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,111th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 96th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Mitchell County?

    The primary driver of distress in Mitchell County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 27.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Mitchell County compare to neighboring counties?

    Mitchell County (17.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Mower County, MN (41.5); Cerro Gordo County, IA (30.1); Floyd County, IA (27.7).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Healthy zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Mitchell County's score of 17.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Mitchell County's CDI score?

    Mitchell County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Mitchell County?

    Mitchell County, Iowa has a population of approximately 10,518 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.